CHARLOTTE, NC -- A black-tie event with Carl Edwards as the guest of honor and beautiful women decked out in dresses right off of the red carpet, how could it get any better? It's all for children in need.

Wednesday night hundreds of the best dressed people you'll ever see got together for a Gala at the Ballantyne Resort in south Charlotte.

They are here to drink wine, make new friends, and rub shoulders with the rich and famous to be sure. That, however, is not the main reason everyone who's anyone is here.

This is the Speedway Children's Charities 28th Annual AutoTrader.com Gala.

This is the biggest event of the year for the charity, which funds more than 60 non-profit groups supporting the direct needs of children in the Charlotte area.

The centerpiece of the event was a silent auction with everything, and I mean everything, from one of Edwards race-worn fire suits to a one-of-a-kind designer purse by the renowned Mary Norton.

It's a silent auction, the well-heeled crowd wanders through display tables full of the various items and then writes down a bid on whatever catches their eye, hoping theirs is the biggest number on the paper when time is up.

"We raise a lot of money. Hopefully more this year than last because we want to do even more," said Amanda Hollingsworth, the event organizer.

Hollingsworth was busy "working" the well-to-do crowd all night. An easy job, she said, as this is a group full of giving people.

Giving is what made NASCAR driver Edwards the night's honoree. He's being recognized for his work in supporting children's charities over the last year.

"I didn't realize how efficient Speedway Children's Charities is at getting money to kids who need it. It's very cool. This single event will raise a ton of money and I'm just proud to be part of this," said Edwards.

It's not just bidding that gets the job done though, a parade of corporate sponsors are all donating money for the cause. To give you an idea, AutoTrader.com alone gave $50,000.

There were at least a dozen other big name corporate sponsors represented.

To hear from Carl Edwards, Marcus Smith, ESPN's Marty Smith, and more from Amanda Hollingsworth watch the video in the sidebar of this article.

You'll also find a slideshow there with great shots of people at the event and some of the items up for bid.

To get involved or to learn more about Speedway Children's Charities, visit their web site by clicking here.